news details |
|
|
| COVID-19: 55 days on, GMC Jammu fails to enhance testing rate | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, May 18: Even 55-days after COVID-19 pandemic broke out in the country the Government Medical College Jammu has failed to enhance the sample testing rate despite the Government of India and the J&K administration providing all the support.
Sources told Early Times that Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India in 2013 had sanctioned VRDL Lab for research purposes at GMC Jammu. It was done to strengthen infrastructure of viral diagnostics.
“After the pandemic reached India in March this year all such laboratories were brought under the ambit of ICMR for the purposes of diagnosis of COVID 19. Initially the testing capacity—when the VRDL lab started at GMC Jammu— was nearly 60 sample per day. Despite having full-fledged Department and manpower in place the VRDL lab at GMC Jammu is only able to test 600 to 800 sample in a day. There is huge mismatch between sample collection in the Jammu Division, which is presently 4000 to 5000 nearly and testing capacity,” sources said.
They said, “If we draw a parallel between the testing capacities of VRDL labs at GMC Srinagar and SKIMS Soura with the lab at GMC Jammu there is a big difference. The labs in Srinagar initially had the testing capacity of 300 samples in a day which eventually raised to nearly 3000 sample testing capacity in a day. The lab at GMC Jammu after all efforts and collaborations could only increase its testing capacity upto 600-800 in a day with total pendency of nearly 4 to 5 days, creating huge inconvenience to health authorities and suspected patients.”
Sources said that the “recent incident of delay in report of Dialysis patient and previous case of SMGS, where more than 20 doctors had to be kept in quarantine are clear examples of fall out of delay in COVID testing at GMC Jammu. Recent hue and cry made by people at MA Stadium awaiting their reports is another glaring example about the slow testing rate.”
Sources said that in the high-level meetings chaired by the highest authorities, it was resolved that testing capacity has to be enhanced. “The necessary directions in this connection were passed to department of Microbiology. The department showed total unprofessional, flip flop and unscientific approach, and stared first collecting RT-PCR machines from different intuitions, whereas RT-PCR machine is not the rate deciding, factor to enhance the testing capacity. First, The RT PCR machine was hired from the existing MRU lab of GMC Jammu, which remained unused till date in the department of Microbiology, then one RT-PCR machine was brought from University of Jammu and one from SMVD. Taking the total to four. But on the account of technical ignorance t VRDL lab tests 600 to 800 samples; SKIMS, SMHS labs test 3000 samples in a day
On average 1400 tests are done daily, says Dr Shashi Soodan
They said, “To divert attention of the government from the unprofessional approach, and to release existing pressure of COVID testing, the Microbiology department signed a MOU with IIIM, canal road. But, in the said MOU, the HOD Microbiology only restricted the role of IIIM upto RNA extraction to assist the existing lab.”
They said, “If the efforts would have been made at the time of signing MOU to make it a separate node and got separate identification number it would have allowed it to get registered with ICMR, the logistics and kits would have been received separately by the IIIM lab and testing capacity would have increased to three time what is at present in Jammu. Further the ICMR as a policy mater has brought all CSIR Lab into ambit of such testing but that provision could not be established because of whim and fancies of one individual.”
They said, “IIIM has superior BSL3 facilities and two highly qualified and technical professionals (faculty members). They were directed to establish such set up at IIIM, Jammu. One of them is still discharging her duties religiously at IIIM but without having any independent control in spite being most competent and committed and qualified for the said job.”
Sources said, “Now, with the intervention of highest administrative authorities and with efforts of in-charge IIIM and Nodal Officer the IIIM two days back was registered separately with ICMR. But still the issue of minor regents is stuck with Microbiology department. These regents have to be provided to make IIM functional to its full capacity.”
Sources said that to increase the testing capacity of Jammu division it’s important for the government not to depend only at department of Microbiology at GMC Jammu. “The authorities should strengthen the IIIM testing lab as it’s the most experienced and professional institute of CSIR. The government should also strengthen the command hospital facilities and new medical colleges. This will share the load and will also curtail the monopoly and over-dependency on one department.”
Principal GMC&H, Dr Naseeb Chand Digra, told Early Times that COVID-19 tests are being three different places, all the sample reaching at these laboratories, being checked on same day without any delay. “Tests are being done at VRDL lab GMC and IIIM Jammu under supervision of Dr Shashi Soodan, and third lab at command hospital Udhampur”, he added.
When contacted HoD, Microbiology department GMC Jammu , Dr Shashi Soodan said, “Presently on average 1400 tests are done daily. Few days before we were able to test 1100 samples in day but testing rate has increased now.” |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
 |
| BSE
Sensex |
 |
| NSE
Nifty |
|
|
| |
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
